Buffalo Bills News - July 23, 2003

Autograph tips [10:29 AM]D and C reports:
'Use the right pen. Use a Sharpie marker for players to sign trading cards, 8-by-10 pictures and mini-helmets. A paint pen works best on footballs.'

Push coming to shove at key positions [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'After starting all 16 games at a new position, you would think Marques Sullivan's job would be secured. Think again.'

Rookies, some veterans report to camp today [8:57 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"We like some of the things we've been able to do with players and with the coaching staff. Now we get to the important phase, and really the fun phase of trying to put it all together."'

Bills would be wise to follow Bucs' plan [5:25 AM]D and C reports:
'Bledsoe threw 10 of his 15 interceptions during last season’s 3-5 slide in the second half. Many now wonder if his record-setting first eight games were merely the product of adrenaline and the element of surprise after being dissed by New England and traded to Buffalo. Maybe the second-half Drew is closer to the real thing. A solid player but one who is a lot closer to Brad Johnson than Brett Favre. He’ll play to the level of his teammates, but nothing more.'

Expert believes McGahee's timetable points to October [5:24 AM]D and C reports:
'“ Assuming everything is going great with his rehab, I wouldn’t want him back to full contact before nine months,” said Bronstein, who estimates he performs 100 ACL repairs and three to four multiple-ligament reconstructions per year.'

Kelly on new track [5:23 AM]D and C reports:
'A season-ticket holder, Kelly is very excited about his old team’s chances this season. “ How can you not be excited after what they did for the defense this off-season?” he asks. “ I think everything is there for them to go a long way."'

Inside slant [12:05 AM]USA Today reports:
Instead of heading into training camp with more holes to fill than a road crew in Western New York, the Bills' starting 22 — give or take a position — is set.

NFL, IBM Team Up in 3-Year Marketing, Video Pact [12:04 AM]Reuters reports:
'The NFL is teaming up with computer maker IBM to convert up to 80 years of pro football films into digital form for players, coaches and fans, the new partners said on Tuesday. '

July 22, 2003

Hunter’s Hope Candlelight Ball This Friday [9:17 PM]WROC-TV reports:
'This Friday at High Falls, you can join Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife Jill, for their first ever Candlelight Ball here in Rochester.'

Bills Sign Mario Haggan [8:40 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'After moving from defensive end to linebacker for his senior season, Haggan led Mississippi State in tackles with 119 (66 solo) in 2002 and was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection. He started three years for the Bulldogs and led the team in tackles each of those years, registering 359 stops for his career.'

Bills Set To Open Training Camp [4:35 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"We do have a signed contract with Mario Haggan, our seventh round pick," said Donahoe. "We have a verbal agreement with Angelo Crowell, our third round pick and we're very close with Chris Kelsay and Terrence McGee. We'd like to have them all there (at opening practice on Thursday) but it's still too early in the week with regard to (Willis) McGahee to say where that will be on Thursday."'

Optimistic Bills set to open camp [1:15 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'It already shows in seat purchases, as the Bills will sell more season tickets this year than in any campaign since 1994.'

Under the gun [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Despite his limited success, Williams' approval rating is high in the organization. Donahoe has praised Williams for the improvement he's made over the past two seasons.'

Dupree back in NFL as scout with Redskins [8:54 AM]ESPN - Len Pasquarelli's Tip Sheet reports:
The seven-year contract agreed to by Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman earlier this week was kicked back by the Management Council because the two sides violated the 30 percent raise rule on base salaries. Not to worry. The parties raised the 2008 base salary to come into compliance, and took the difference off the '09 salary, but the total numbers still add up the same.

Fisher's boss of moss manages Bills fields [5:19 AM]D and C reports:
'The former facility manager at Frontier Field and two-time International League Groundskeeper of the Year for the Ottawa Lynx, Dungey and his six-person staff lord over 4 1/2 acres of impeccable turf at Fisher.'

July 21, 2003

Tops Disappoints Bills Fans [9:27 PM]WOKR-TV reports:
'Peggy Crawford, a Bills fan for 20 years, said she stopped at the Henrietta Tops to get tickets. When the window opened, the first three people in line were served, then the computers went down. After the computers came back up, store workers served three more people and then announced that the tickets were sold out.'

Pat Williams Quotes from ESN Jim Brinson show [5:10 PM]The Stadium Wall reports:
Contributed by Ann Burke, Former WGR Host
1. Has his weight down to 305 -- with Sam Adams on the line--he can afford to be smaller and quicker
2. Expects to be in the backfield a lot -- since teams can't double him with Sam there to require their attention.
3. Stated emphatically: "No one will run on the Buffalo Bills this year'

Buffalo Bills Training Camp History [10:07 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The locker rooms at East Aurora High School were used by the team for dressing and training room facilities. The players were shuttled between hotel, locker room and practice fields by school bus, sometimes driven by players or team personnel.'

New additions bulk up Bills' defense [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I think we have everything it takes to be a great defense," Wire said. "The offense will do its part. We just have to do ours, and I think we will. We have a defense that, to me, is going to wreak havoc on opposing offenses."'

Anticipation grows for Joe D. [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Hall of Fame will indeed be a family affair for DeLamielleure, who expects nearly 200 immediate family members. That includes a new granddaughter, who he will see for the first time in Canton.'

Pittsford Prepares For Crowds [8:55 AM]WOKR-TV reports:
'Each day about 6,000 people will be in the area for the Bills camp and 30,000 are expected to attend the PGA.'

Expectations rise for Bills, Sabres [5:25 AM]Business First of Buffalo reports:
'The prevailing sentiment is that coach Gregg Williams is the guy on the hot seat -- and entering the final year of a contract, he is most definitely on the spot.'